or 330 or 335. But I dont know how much you wanna spend

licoln ls its still an option

A used M5 would be great, but I'm still leery of their reliability. G8 GXP would be nice, but fuel consumption is an issue.

I guess, so far, the Infiniti G would be the most viable new car choice.

Yeah, but not a fan of Lincoln. I had no clue they came with manuals!

erm nevermind i thought your budget was waay lower

G37S, CTS DI, or 335i sedan.....

Some stick shifts make driving seem like work and less fun, although most help make the car feel better. I wouldn't buy a car where shifting takes a concerted effort.
I would have chosen an auto over the manual on a 2005 G35 (heavy clutch, notchy shifter) or 2008 335i (rubbery shifters and very high clutch releases), but would choose the manual over the auto on a 2005 TSX or 2006 Mustang GT.

The G8 GXP gives you the best bang for the money (in the 30Ks)

A used 335i is also a good option. It can be easily tuned to run in the low 12 sec. A used 2007 550i is still pricey. This is the first year the manual gear box is available. The earlier models are SMG (no clutch).

The reliability of newer BMW are generally better. I had the 550i for over 2 years now and the only problem I had was I-drive (needed software update). My wife's X5 has no problem so far, knock on wood.

One problem with your requirements. Few and fewer manufacturers are making manual these days.

335i vs G37 sedan, then

i'd rather not buy the car at all. i got an auto car recently (mint as falk Legend GS), had to get rid of it, the auto sucks balls.

wanna talk effort to drive, come around here and take my 4runner 5spd for a spin, that's effort, things like rowing a fucking boat and pedaling a bike at the same time, wouldn't trade it for an auto, not even if my life depended on it, haha. glad i don't have to drive it daily any more thou, the CL is a breeze (as any honda is really)

I know this...Hence the need for me to make this thread.

Keep on helping me out.

It looks like G37S and G8 GXP so far.

The G8 GXP is 40k. I'd go with used 335, 1st Gen CTS-V.

I just checked out Pontiac website, the G8 is in the low 30Ks. However, I didn't see manual as an option, perhaps next year?

The tides are turning, or at least in a few instances. The G is one of those, I bought a 07(the new body style) and drove the auto and the manual and for the first time in my life preferred the manual. I was not alone, that is the same comment made over and over again about that car, now with the new 7spd auto I imagine it is even better.

A few years ago I would have completely agreed with you, but now some autos are getting better fuel economy then their manual counterparts and in rare instances are shifting faster and more consistent. This trend will continue until it is the common place, not to say manuals will be completely obsolete, but they will continue to be less common.

G8

Only the G8 GXP has the 6sp manual available starting this year (2009). The G8 GT is automatic only at this point. The GXP is upper 30K to lower 40K depending on options.

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=136306

fixed

I'd still rather shift my own gears though. As long as a short shifter and/or bushings out there that improve the shift feel, then I'd rather get the manual than not at all. My car honestly felt like crap with the stock short throw shifter option and it felt like driving a truck almost with the stock non-short throw shifter. But coupled with a new Hurst short throw, and a shorter stick (its a 2-piece shifter) I've gotten compliments about how precise it feels. Not as great as the S2000 shifter, but then again what is?

hmm. id say for your range, it would be a let down to get a dated IS300 considering the other options.

540 6 speed quickly comes to mind.

RWD sport sedans are hard to come by these days. new competitive sedans are outdoing each other in techy suspension and gearbox innovations. the way of the 6 speed is becoming outdated on pricey sedans. ppl want to pay for the car to do everything for them. with back up cameras, parking assistance, and distance sensing cruise control, consumers dont want to pay top dollar and then shift their own gears. and 6 speed sales reflect that. as of lately more 6 speed trannies have been dropped completely. its a shame, really.

not sure on your living situation, but perhaps getting a weekend sportscar and a sedan on the side?

Boom TITS???

The G37S gets my vote.

G37s

I can agree with this, but the coupe is SO much more appealing than the sedan!

Really? I feel the exact opposite way, and it has nothing to do with the practical advantage.

Ok. What about a G8 GXP now? They can be bought VERY cheap, due to Pontiac getting the ax.

But, would it be a smart move...?

Resale would be a bust....but getting them serviced down the road at a Chevrolet dealer would be no problem at all.

Yeah, there would almost no such thing as "resale value", lol. I would keep it for a while as my daily driver if I were to get one...but I don't know if it's worth getting a Pontiac, still.

G37

G37 Sedans look .

...but it's not as if Pontiacs were ever resale value kings anyway....so no harm there.....It's a fantastic car.....and it will be a very rare car too.

Is it possible that the resale value would actually be better because the G8 is kinda rare (well I haven't see many in Vancouver, BC, Canada...) and they are not going to make them anymore.

Perhaps...but after MANY MANY Moons.

True. Still with the deals infiniti has these days, it might be worthwhile to give it a look

If it was the coupe, than I would seriously think about it.

Also, Infiniti's manual tranny has been much maligned for it's vibration issues.

G37s gets my vote!!!

Does the STS-V offer a M/T?

Would the Chevy dealer still honor warranty work on a G8 GXP? My friend was a manager at a rental car place and he brought home a G8 GT every single day when they came in. He loved that car

G37 Sedan > G37 Coupe

Absolutely not. Flagships aren't offered in manual. Even if it was...even though the STS-V is a pimp car, it screams of older aged drivers and the price point is way out of my range.

Yes. They've already given their word on maintenance.